OREANDA-NEWS.Central Ground Water Board carried out assessment of replenishable ground water resources (as on March 2011), jointly with the respective State Ground Water Departments in the Country including rural and backward areas. It shows that 1071 Blocks/Mandals/Talukas in the Country are ‘Over-Exploited’; 217 are ‘Critical’ and 697 are ‘Semi-Critical’. 162 Blocks/Talukas/Areas for regulation of ground water development in the Country have been notified by CGWA, wherein, permission to construct new bore wells is not granted, except for drinking and domestic purposes.

The Central Sector Scheme of Ground Water Management and Regulation, under implementation during XII Plan, inter-alia, envisages participatory management of groundwater involving Panchayat Raj Institutions, local communities, NGOs and other Stakeholders for ensuring safe and sustainable management of groundwater resources in the Country including backward areas.

This information was given by Minister of State for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Prof. Sanwar Lal Jat in Lok Sabha today.